Antonia Matzka: “It is impor­tant to get into game mode”

At just 24 years old, your experience already makes you one of the veterans and you are considered a leader. Do you see the national team as being on the right track?
Antonia Matzka: “Yes, I think we are on the right track. We are in a period of transition. This season, many young players from the U18 national team have made the step up and will be at next week’s preparation camp, and some of them will certainly also travel to the World Championship. It is an exciting time for us, even though, on the other hand, it is difficult to say goodbye to long-serving leaders and former top scorers from the team. But the future looks good. The players are highly motivated and have a great attitude. The standard of the players is also getting better and better from an early age, both physically and in terms of game awareness. A lot of good work is being done, and we experienced players are pleased when we can welcome well-trained players and help develop them further. In addition, there are the established and experienced players who have had very good seasons, and we also have some outstanding talents.”

Next week, the final preparations for the World Championship Division IA begin. Is it difficult to adjust to the World Championship being at the start of the season rather than at the end, as is usually the case?
Antonia Matzka: “I would not say difficult, but it takes some getting used to. We are not used to preparing for such an important tournament in the summer. Normally, the focus at this time is on endurance, fitness and strength. But I see it very positively because it has meant we have had more team camps and have grown much closer over the past few months. This summer World Championship is positive for team cohesion because nobody joins the national team from their club, and we can focus solely on the national team during the summer. That is certainly very valuable.”

There are still two warm-up games against Italy on the schedule before the team heads to China. What objectives have been set for the double-header against our neighbours?
Antonia Matzka: “It is not so much about the final result in these games, but about implementing the systems taught by the coaching staff, seeing what works well and receiving feedback. These warm-up games allow the coaches to see what we still need to work on. It is important that we get into game mode. Training is one thing, a game is another. A game is played at a different intensity. It is important that we get a feel for that.”

Last year, promotion to the Top Division was narrowly missed. How good are the chances of reaching the world’s top ten nations this year?
Antonia Matzka: “I actually see the chances as very good. Especially as two nations will also be promoted this year (note: Under the current IIHF regulations, two teams are relegated from the Top Division in the women’s competition, while two teams are promoted from Division IA). With the team we can field and the preparation we have had, the chances are good. It now just comes down to executing on the ice, and hopefully we will do that well. One question mark is how the other teams are set up and how they travel to China. Nevertheless, we are focusing on ourselves and on what we can control. If we do that and execute what we are capable of, the opportunity is there.”

Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Slovakia and hosts China are the opponents. How do you assess this group?
Antonia Matzka: “Norway and Slovakia are countries we play against at every World Championship. We know each other well and know how to prepare for one another. We have never played China and only know the team from watching them at the last Olympic Games. They are difficult to assess. Overall, we will neither overestimate nor underestimate anyone. The best approach is to focus on ourselves.”

You moved to the USA at an early age, played ice hockey successfully at high school and college, and last season played for the Buffalo Beauts in the Premier Hockey Federation. Now you are returning to your home club, the Sabres. What was your time overseas like, and what do you want to achieve with the Sabres next season?
Antonia Matzka: “Three years at high school and five years at college, plus the season in the PHF – it was a unique time. I developed enormously both as a player and as a student, and learned a great deal. In North America, the game is extremely fast and physical. Teams play very much to a system and game plan. I am now bringing that back with me to Austria and to the national team. I have seen how important that is in order to be successful at this level. My aim with the Sabres is to pass on my experience and everything I have learned to the younger players. I want to help the Sabres develop and become more professional.”

Women’s National Team World Championship Preparation

2 - 5 August 2023, Klagenfurt

Warm-up games
Austria vs. Italy
Fri, 4 August 2023, 19:15, Sepp-Puschnig-Halle

Austria vs. Italy
Sat, 5 August 2023, 12:30, Sepp-Puschnig-Halle

World Championship preparation squad

2023 IIHF Ice Hockey Women's World Championship Division IA

20 August 2023 – 26 August 2023, Shenzhen (CHN)

Schedule
Dates and times refer to our local time zone; local times are shown in brackets.

Austria vs. Norway
Sun, 20 August 2023, 10:30 (16:30 local time)

Denmark vs. Austria
Mon, 21 August 2023, 07:00 (13:00 local time)

Netherlands vs. Austria
Wed, 23 August 2023, 10:30 (16:30 local time)

Austria vs. China
Thu, 24 August 2023, 14:00 (20:00 local time)

Slovakia vs. Austria
Sat, 26 August 2023, 07:00 (13:00 local time)